At Canaan's Edge

On Martin Luther King Day, I purchased At Canaan's Edge. I have always been fascinated with the civil rights movement - as well as the state of our Union in general during the 1960s. This book has opened my eyes to just how much civil disrest there was in the US during the 1960s. The book focuses mainly on the Civil Rights Movement - but also flashes to the Vietnam War and President Johnson's conflicts. Perhaps it was my naiveness, but I was unaware of the sheer violence these individuals faced in the South. There were several men, women, and children that died for the right to be equal. It all seems so foreign to me. It angers me that our nation could have been so blind...so stupid to look at a person and see the color of their skin and not the quality of their character. Being white, I've never expereinced racism. Being a woman, I have been subjected to sexist views. I was never greated with violence, but rather a "now, now - women belong in the kitchen" tone. It still infuriated me. I cannot imagine the injustice black citizens suffered in the South in the 1960s; and unfortunately still experience. Hurricane Katrina occurred in 2005, not 1965; but racism was present throughout the aid process. Even the rebuilding is racist - the 9th Ward, a predominantly African-American, poor neighborhood was sold to a white developer with $$$ on his mind.

The subject of racism finds itself on my blog for the second time this month, because yesterday Coretta Scott King passed away. Each year, we lose a few more members of the Civil Rights Movement - some famous, some nameless. I think as Americans, we have a duty to carry on their legacy.

Yesterday vs. Today

I was driving to my rotation at 6:30AM this morning (waaaaay to freaking early), listening to an Oasis CD, when I realized that time really flies. Ten years ago, I was sitting on a school bus, wearing a Lady Bulldog's warm-up outfit, listening to the same CD. However, back then I was traveling to play a freshman basketball game and today I was driving to a rotation. If you would've asked me when I was sitting on that bus where I would be in 10 years, I never would've said pharmacy school. At the time, I was dating a Straight Edge skater and experimenting with the skater lifestyle myself. I figured 10 years later I'd find myself dabbling in forensic science or working for the FBI. Those dreams changed, but I'm not sure when they did. Ten years later, I was sitting in my car, listening to the same Oasis CD, driving to my rotation - 4 months shy of graduating with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. And the boy...he was killed by a drunk driver two years ago. Ironic how someone who lived the no drugs, no alcohol lifestyle was murdered by a drunk driver.

More Horrors of Alito

"Those who would sacrifice liberty for security deserve neither." ~ Benjamin Franklin

Those words have never been more true than they are today. Alito stood before Georgetown Law students today and defended the President's domestic spying tactics. I have become more and more weary of Alito in the past couple weeks. I knew he was hard-line conservative when Bush nominated him; however I didn't realize his radical view points until recently. The Constitution of the United States, the foundation of our great country, explicitly prohibits unlegal search and seizure of individuals without a warrant. Furthermore, the Federal Intelligence Surveillance Act bars wiretaps on American citizens at home without a court warrant. The President's policy allows the Government to spy on American citizen's without a warrant. Once again, the Executive Branch is overstepping its bounds and totally bypassing the checks and balances put in place by our Founding Fathers. I think I've heard this story before...no wait, that was a fictional novel titled 1984. This must have been what George Orwell envisioned.

Alito received approval from the Senate Judicial committee today; however on a bright note, the approval fell on a strict party line, 10-8. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come on the Senate floor. Alito is a threat to every American ideal. I saw yesterday that President Bush stated that Roe v. Wade would be turned over. I know Alito shares his sentiments. We already know that if Alito makes it to the Supreme Court abortion rights and simple privacy rights are at stake. It makes you wonder what else is at stake with his confirmation.

The Real Safety with MSHA

In less than a month, West Virginia has suffered two devastating mining accidents. The Sago Mine Tragedy left 12 dead and 1 clinging to life. From a health professional stand point, I don't believe he'll ever be the same. Carbon monoxide poisoning is lethal, and he's the only person known to survive as long as he did. Today, a mine in Logan caught fire. Ten miners escaped, only to find that two crew members never made it to safety. What does this say? Well first, and most obviously, coal mining is a dangerous job. We've known that for years. There are hundreds of WV men that lost their lives in coal mines. Secondly, I think we need to start addressing why mining is so unsafe. MSHA, the Mine Safety and Hazard Administration, has jurisdiction over mine facilities. It functions much like OSHA. I can't speak for the two mines involved in the tragedies this past month; however I can speak for my experiences at a cement plant in my hometown. Basically, MSHA is nothing more than a formality. They make announced visits to sites. They hang out in the office area until things are "cleaned up" around the plant. They issue fines and citations. It basically takes a death or a serious injury to get any satisfaction. At the plant, whenver MSHA would come on site, the stone tunnel belts mysteriously were shut down. MSHA should've questioned this because stone cannot make it to the mills without the belts and production was not down. The belts were considered unsafe because the dust collectors did not work and visibility around the belts was diminshed. Two men fell through a roof and one man got his arm stuck in a vac truck and finally MSHA shut the plant down. They had issued citations about these infractions multiple times, however it was not until someone was injured that they actually took action on the infraction. I think it's time MSHA is held to a higher standard. First step - UNANNOUNCED vists. Second step - no pit stop at the office. Third step - get some cajones and DO something about infractions. Citations and fines mean jack shit to a multi-million dollar company. Until MSHA straightens up, I think miners around the country are at the mercy of crude, heartless corporations who will do anything to save a dollar.

In Honor of Dr. King

Today we take time to celebrate one of the greatest Civil Rights leaders of all time - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King stood up to racism in an era when our country saw only black and white. His speeches are some of the greatest ever written. As with most other holidays, we're quick to forget the symbolism behind this day. It's hard for people from my generation to imagine a time when black and white did not mix. It's hard for me to fathom that there was a time, not so long ago, when African Americans were not permitted to drink from the same water fountain as whites, or eat in the same diners as whites. Most of all, it's hard for me to imagine that society judged man not by his skills and compassion, but by the color of his skin. Dr. King's work is not done. Racism still runs rampant in America. I fear Dr. King's work will never be done. It is my dream that one day, my children will look at the world and only see people - not colors. Thank you Dr. King for your passion. The world truly is a better place because of you.


"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, that one day right down in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exhalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together." ~ Excerpt from "I Have a Dream" by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Step One - Endorsement

On Tuesday, January 10, Senator Robert Byrd filed papers to run for re-election. As you can see from my sidebar, I'm a huge Senator Byrd fan. He's done great things for my wonderful state. In the past 3 years, he's gained national attention for being very outspoken against President Bush's policies. If the Democrats ever had a friend in Congress, Senator Byrd is him. He constantly speaks out against the war in Iraq, the PATRIOT Act, and President Bush. He's written several eloquent speeches illustrating the wrongs of the "right." On Wednesday, I received an email from the Byrd campaign asking for my endorsement. It was an honor to add my name to his list. I have also enlisted in Byrd's Corps - a group of Byrd supporters who will campaign for him via email and blogging. Please click the following link to add your endorsement to his campaign - Byrd 2006.

Silenced by Money

It appears as though Pat Roberston's hypocrisy knows no bounds (to quote a favorite movie of mine). In the face of being excluded from a $50 million Christian Center in Israel, Robertson issued a full apology to both Israel and Sharon's son. An excerpt from his letter reads, "My zeal, my love of Israel and my concern for the future safety of your nation led me to make remarks which I can now view in retrospect as inappropriate and insensitive in light of a national grief experienced because of your father's illness." I particularly love the "love of Israel section" because, as Axis pointed out, Robertson only loves Israel because it fits his "devine" plan. Once he experience this second coming of the Lord, all the Jews are damned to hell anyway. Could you be any bigger of a hypocrite? Apparently money humbles all.

"I Want a PharmD with Me Too!!!"

This morning, while I was rounding on patients on the orthopedic floor, I was greeted by one of the orthopedic surgeons. He was quite upset about having to discharge his patient on diabetic medications. I understood the surgeons gripe - he doesn't treat diabetes. If the patient reported the wrong drug or wrong dose, the surgeon could be liable if he discharges him on a wrong medication. He made me laugh several times when he said he couldn't even pronounce half the medications on the guy's profile and that he was pretty sure the guy's primary care physician wouldn't know how long to cast the man's leg. Point taken. When my preceptor arrived on the scene, the surgeon stated that he would love to have a PharmD see his patients. He thinks that every floor in the hospital should have at least one PharmD to make sure drug therapy is appropriate and dosed correctly. He told every nurse he passed that he wanted a PharmD and then he grabbed the nurse clinical manager and announced that he wanted a PharmD. The nurse clinical manager agreed...as did most of the nurses. Health care is grand when we can all work together.

Today, a second residency contacted me wanting to set up an interview. Looks like I have passed the Litmus test twice...let's see if I can do it again. :)

Life in the ICU

For the past 2 weeks, I have been following an 85 female patient in the ICU. She was admitted to the hospital before Christmas for signs and symptoms of diverticulitis. Upon further probing, it was discovered she did not have diverticulitis, but in fact had an obstructing sigmoid malignant tumor. She was a surgery risk from the get go - name a disease state and she's got it. Consequently, she underwent sugery on 12/28 and remains on the ventilator. She has failed extubation twice and has been diagnosed by pulmonary as respiratory failure. They're considering performing a tracheotomy. I went into her room to see her today. She's heavily sedated again. She looks so sad. Her family has taped the pictures of her 2 cats to the rails on her bed. It's pretty sad to think that she'll probably never get home to see them again. It upset me. I think it was the harsh reality of death...the finality of death. My heartstrings are compromising my future as a critical care pharmacist. I kind of prefer my patients to be talking, breathing, and not dieing.

On a more positive note, I have been contacted by one of the residency programs I applied to and they are pleased to inform me that I have been selected to be interviewed. :)

A Moral Battle...so to say

Last Wednesday was the first official day of my sixth rotation, which focuses on internal medicine. My preceptor's organizational skills are a little lacking; however I have to admit, he's a pretty good teacher. In the past week, I have reviewed community acquired pneumonia, atrial fibrillation, GI bleeds, and heart failure - just to name a few disease states. My preceptor, Dr. Coumadin, also coordinates a Coudmadin (hence his name) clinic for a doctor's office. The doctor's in this office highly respect Dr. Coumadin and ask his advice on drug therapy in difficult patients. Part of a bonus of being on a rotation with a guy with such tight ties to a doctor's office is free lunch. However, like most things in life, lunch really isn't "free." Every day drug representatives pushing their latest trade filter into the office witih free lunch, pens, and trinkets. I've spoke before about the evils of drug companies and their minions...I mean drug reps. I have a moral objection to the policies of corporate America in general - but it just so happens that I am intimately involved in the workings of the pharmaceutical world. In the past week, I've had assorted deli sandwiches, Chinese food, roasted chicken breast, and lasagna. The price - sell my soul to the drug companies that I so deeply hate. Today, as I was debating the ethics of enjoying lasagna while Patient X can't afford SaveMyLife (new drug), I decided that I was at least going to make the drug rep work for her money. Dr. Coumadin and I were having a discussion about other drugs in the same class as SaveMyLife. The drug rep was unable to keep up. She could only recite textbook data about her drug and was unable to explain why her product was superior. The redeeming moment of the day was when one of the internal medicine doctors told Ms. Rep "thanks for the lunch, but I'm still not prescribing your product." At the end of the day, I realize by eating lunch with the drug reps I am basically supporting their politics. Unfortunately, being a poor pharmacy student is prevailing at this point.

From the Mouths of Religious Nuts

While Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon fights for his life in an intensive care unit, Pat Roberton is accusing him of intervening with God's plans. Apparently, Sharon had a massive hemorrhagic stroke because "he divided God's land." The stroke was God's way to "smote" Sharon for forcing Israelis out of the Gaza Strip and returning it to the Palestinians. In 2001, Roberston stated that America deserved 9/11 for embracing abortion and homosexuality. In my opinion, a religious nut is a nut - no matter what religion they represent. In principle, there is no difference between Pat Robertson and Islamic extremists. Robertson preaches hate and hides under the protection of Christianity. Apparently Roberston has missed the central theme of Christianity...news flash - Pat, it's love, not hate. "But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." (1st Corinthians 13:13) Apparently Pat skipped that verse. Personally, I applaud Prime Minister Sharon for returning the Gaza Strip to the Palestinians and taking a step towards peace. The world could use a few more like him...and I highly doubt God would smote any person working towards peace on earth.